Harness Your Power: Carrying the Legacy Forward

I have experienced so many amazing experiences in the last three weeks that I am actually short of words.  I feel full, ready to give birth to new ideas and even a new chapter in my life.

Yet, while I was away, my beautiful and loving 86 year old grandmother passed away.  Her health condition had been growing worse so we knew that she would not be around much longer.  Just before going to Nigeria, I took my daughters with me and we visited her for an hour.  It was a time of joy.  Maggie and Skye each wanted to sing a solo.  Then, my grandmom even chimed in with some of her songs.

A day or so before my grandmother moved on she said to my aunt, "I am not ready to go.  I have too many things left to do."  My aunt comforted and assured her, "I will take care of what is left, Mom, you don't need to worry." 

We truly do carry on the work of generations that have gone before us.  My grandmother was full of love.  Her gift was cooking and baking.  She expressed this gift regularly during my high school and college years.  I'd receive rice krispie treats, brownies, cupcakes, pineapple upside down cakes and chocolate cakes.  I was quite popular on my basketball team because of these gifts!

She also had a way of making me laugh as she told her stories of growing up.  My grandmother was pure in heart, genuine in spirit and simply loving.

As I write this week, my desire is to carry on her legacy.  Her love lives inside me. It was a vital part of who I have become.  She passed this love and acceptance to my mom and then my mom passed it to me.  I see that it is now my calling to deliver the same love to my daughters.

A song she wrote was called Joy In the Morning.  I pray that each of us experience deep joy each morning as we start each new day.  May we feel God's enduring love in our lives and know that we are cared for and guided along life's path.

If I could, I'd bake you a cake in honor of my grandmom.  I guess instead I will tell you in her words, "I love you, honey, and I am proud of you."

This Sunday we celebrate her life.
Today, I celebrate yours and pray that you are creating a lasting legacy!

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Inspiring and Inspired

Where do I begin?  I have had the richest few days of experiences.  I landed in Nigeria on Thursday.  So much has happened since then.

On Saturday I got straight to work by speaking at two events in the morning for young leaders.  The audience was engaged and it was an honor to share some key ideas for Harnessing the Power of the Mind. 
I was honored to receive the first ever Legend in Leadership award by Now Leadership International (run by Daniel-Adeniyi Obafemi, a fantastic leader.)

We then proceeded to Little Saints of Orphanage.  Through donations, we were able to purchase a month's worth of rice and semovita to give to the founder of the orphanage.  She was delighted.  We also brought cake and cans of soda and had a party with boys and girls (little ones up to teens).  We ate cake, sang songs, danced and even distributed Silly Bands to all the kids.  The kids were beautiful.  The orphanage receives no state or government support.  It is run solely by private donations.  They take children who are abandoned and left on the street.  They work to find foster homes and adoptive families.  Or, they raise the children until they finish college.  Amazing work. 

The orphanage needs monetary support as well as donations of food (rice, semovita, powdered milk and school supplies).  Please let me know if you'd like to help!  They also need people who are willing to foster and adopt the children!

On Sunday was a very special occasion.  I was hosted by Timeless Magazine and Ayo Moses PR to a dinner for the Friends of Patricia Omoqui held in Lagos, Nigeria.  The evening was full of comedy, good music, tasty food and a few words from me on the importance of shifting our national mindset to make Nigeria the Great Nation she can be.  I felt loved, honored and quite humbled by the experience.  I was given an awared by Timeless Magazine for the positive, empowered writing I have been doing to encourage Nigerians to reach their potential and step forward as change agents to improve the country. 

Today was extra-ordinary!  I spent the morning and early afternoon with the Disabled Athletes of Lagos State.  I was with the para-basketball team.  These athletes are incredibly resilient and courageous.  They come from a culture in Nigeria where people with disabilities are seen as shameful and less than.  Yet, through their efforts on the court, they are showing their families and their community that they have talent.  I was able to let them know that they are valuable no matter how others percieve them.  These athletes need wheelchairs for playing basketball.  I am praying that donors will step forward and help fund these athletes so they can reach even greater levels of success on the court!

These athletes need wheel chairs (approximately 20 of them)!  Do you know anyone who is willing to donate or do you have connections with organizations who work with para-athletes?  Please contact me!

I love Nigeria.  I am glowing with love and hope.  There are tremendous challenges here.  Yet, the opportunity for developing potential, creating solutions and empowering people is incredibly vast!

I end with my motto as an agent of positive change:  I do what I can, with the resources I have, where I am right now. 

If we each do small things each day to help others, we can make a visible change in our world.  I pray you do so.  I pray God gives me the strength to continue to help others in any way I can. 

With my love for you,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Keep Stepping Forward

Tonight I wrote close to 40 of my daily Food For Thought emails.  I've written over 1,000 of them in total the past few years.  It takes focus and persistence to do this every week for several years.  (My years of playing basketball taught me this type of self-discipline.)  I'm happy to write the emails.  I've written these emails during dark, difficult days.  I've written these emails during bright, exciting times.

I share this personal experience with you only to encourage you: follow your dream, offer your service and live your purpose no matter the highs or lows you are experiencing. 

I know it can feel challenging to keep going, especially in those days you feel stuck or you see no visible progress.  I've been there.  I still have those days.  But, I love the path I have chosen and I wake up each day and do my best. 

Sometimes my best is just one tiny move forward.  Other days I find myself running forward quickly.

Consistency is essential to fulfill your dreams.  So, keep at it!  Take that next little step to which you are guided.  If you can take a few more, then go for it! 

Your efforts will add up and pay off!

Believe in yourself.  Stay focused on your dreams.

With Love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Say What You Mean

Through some business interactions I've had this week, I am reminded of the importance of using our words wisely.  Too often people say things and do not really mean them.  They make commitments with no intention to follow through.  Yet, the only way we have to build trust in our relationships (business and personal) is to make good on what we say we will do.

Say what you mean!  Mean what you say!



A few simple examples:

• If you say you are going to call someone at a particular time, do so!  Be on time.  Show people you respect them by writing down your appointments and making sure you call.  If you can't call, give them advance notice that there is a complication and you need to reschedule.
• If you are working with someone on a project or hiring someone, don't make empty promises.  Only commit to what you know you can truly provide.  It is better to under promise and over deliver than to over promise and ruin a relationship.
• If you are having trouble meeting an agreement that is in place, it is best to communicate and let the other person knowin advance.  Hiding, ignoring a person's calls and emails and hoping the situation will go away is NOT a good way to handle your business.  Be courageous and honest.  In doing so, you will gain more respect and you open the door to understanding.
• If you don't know what you are able to commit to, then just simply say, "Let me think about what I am able to do. I don't know yet." It is better to go away and think about the situation before making empty promises.

Hope these ideas help you in your business and personal matters.
Be a person of your word.

With my love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Love is the Purpose

I've come to realize that no matter what job we have or what our "outer purpose" is in the world, LOVE is our true purpose.  Anything done in the spirit of love --whether laundry or cutting the lawn or greeting a stranger, picking up trash or being an executive in a boardroom--anything done in the spirit of love can touch lives deeply.

This week, my simple focus is love.  Perhaps, that is truly what my life focus is.  As I center myself in love, more and more I realize that anything I do can be infused with color and meaning.  I used to dread the daily trivialities of housework and paperwork and the nitty gritty tasks of dealing with life.  But now, as I bring love to it and have a joyful song in my heart, I even see the amazing aspects of these ordinary tasks.

Open to infusing love into everything you think, say and do.  It's a tall task, I know.  But, if you begin to do so, life will take on a whole new look and feel for you!

Writing this short blog post with my love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Loyalty and Collaboration

Keeping the blog short this week.  I will be honest and tell you I AM TIRED!

I've spent all week lost in the details of editing my manuscript.  I am finally in the last stages of layout and should soon get the first sample copy of my new book, Clarify Your Purpose and Live It!  I have learned a tremendous amount about book writing the last few years.  I'm so grateful for this experience.

I am feeling blessed today that I have such an amazing support system around me.  I have family that cares, friends that are understanding and helpful and business colleagues that are willing to collaborate.  So many people have played an essential role in bring this book idea to manifestation.

Creating a team of positive, empowered people is a helpful (even essential) foundation for success.  Take a look around your life.  How is your support team?  Are they draining your energy or lifting you up when you are down?  Do they collaborate and cooperate or are the people in your life out to compete against you, even sabotage your success?  Do you have people who come and go as they please or are do you have a team that is loyal and will go the extra mile?

Being surrounded by good people makes a tremendous difference in life.  If you feel that you need some new teammates, why not write a list of all the traits you are looking for in enhancing your "success team."

Writing this list will give you a clearer picture of what you are looking for. Then, don't be surprised as you begin encountering the type of people you were hoping to find. 

Wishing you a happy, successful, joyful week ahead!

with love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/



T

Harness Your Power: The "List Exercise"

I thought I'd share with you this week a simple, but helpful practice I use on a daily basis.  It keeps me organized, helps me prioritize my work and it also assists me in letting go of my worries.

In the morning as I start my day, I write two lists.  The first list is all the "next steps" I am aware that I could take in reaching my goals and taking care of my responsibilities in my work and personal life.  The second list is a list for "My Project Manager" a.k.a. for God.  It is a list of all the issues, concerns and items that I feel are currently out of my control.  By putting them on paper I am consciously surrendering the worry and declaring to myself that I will be guided and directed in the resolution of each item on this list.

Sometimes I take a third step and write out a prayer.  This is a helpful way for me to express what is in my heart, how I feel about the successes and the challenges in my life and then, it allows me to release the burdens I am feeling.

I've been learning once again that spending time fretting over what is out of my hands only makes me feel sick inside.  When I relax and trust that every seeming issue finds a way to a good resolution, I feel better and keep more of my precious energy.

I wish you a happy, productive and peaceful week ahead.
Give the lists a try and let me know what you think!

With love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/